Happy 2012!!!

Celebrating the New Year by my lonesome, by drinking Raspberry Schweppes and vanilla ice cream with a curly straw.

Memories Made

I have been a bad blogger and no New Year's resolution will fix that. December has been a hard month. The rest of the year I count as wonderful. Many wonderful memories were made. I met Ayu, my sponsor child from Indonesia, who has now graduated from the Compassion program. I got to know several wonderful women during that trip and was able to reunite with them this past August in Colorado. I felt a baby kick from inside one of my best friend's abdomen. Sweet joy. And I also was able to visit her for several days in August. I laughed with my little cousins in New Mexico. I watched my own boy learn his letter sounds and complete numerous Rush Hour car puzzles in a row. We took in the most beautiful view of the St. Lawrence River. I am more in love with my husband now than ever before. I joined a small group Bible study and have been challenged to study God's word. We switched churches. We grew. We learned. Gramanita was able to visit this year. Twice. I held my brother's newborn baby girl. My sister and I, giddy with glee, stopped to look at every little girl outfit in Target in the weeks after her birth.

Maybe this next year hold as many or more wonderful memories to be made. Perhaps, we will go camping "up north" in Minnesota. Maybe we really will pay off our mortgage. Or travel the world... Maybe I will have another baby to love... And maybe I will be able to speak to my brother again...

And now to celebrate the last day of 2011. Me and my boy, who loves to cuddle in with me every morning. *love*

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23

Baby Shower Saturday

Last Saturday, myself and two friends threw a baby shower for our mutual friend/sister. I went to visit Carissa in South Carolina in August and last week she came home for Thanksgiving. We seized the opportunity and showered her. She's due (with a girl!) February 4th. I hope I didn't make her feel awkward by how much I had my hand on her belly. Honestly, I think she was fine with it, since she did the same to me when I was pregnant with Josh. Feeling a baby move inside is really the most amazing feeling in the world, even from the outside...I'm counting my blessings in being able to watch my dear friend be expecting her first baby, even if it is from far away. I cannot wait to hold her little girl and kiss her little fingers and feel her soft hair on my cheek. And I secretly hope that little baby will look like her Asian side... :)

A Busy Bee

What a week! I think I am ready to stay home for the next month. I have been just. that. busy. We have been making pies, prepping for Thanksgiving, visiting with friends and family, shopping during the wee hours of the morning, throwing my friend a baby shower, eating too much and enjoying the people that God has brought into our lives. And now Adam is fighting a fierce cold. I am wishing for one more day in my long weekend that I could actually stay home and get to know my house again. But tomorrow I have an appointment in the city and some things to return, so I will be off and running again.

On a happy note, I bought a new shower curtain for the bathroom. It makes me smile every time I walk in there. I also bought paint and will begin painting hopefully this weekend. Doesn't my shower curtain make you smile too? The way I see it, I have free license to decorate my bathroom in a kid-friendly fashion, since I have a small kid myself. (Did you see my matching bath mat? Yes, that also makes me smile. I also will be attempting to paint some matching wall art.) More news about my busy week/month to come later. Nothing too exciting, so don't get your hopes up.

Do it Faithfully

3 John 1:5 - Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do, to the brethren and to strangers...

Can I say that about myself? How can I, if I spread myself so thin? What does the Lord really want me to spend my time doing? Am I able to do that which He has called me to do faithfully? These are questions I am always asking myself. Always evaluating in my mind. How can I get to the place where I know I am in God's will and can truly pour myself into what He has for me? What things, good things, am I involved in that are not His best for me?

Lord, help me to know what you have for me to do. Help me to know when to say "no" and when to say "yes". Help me to do what I do the best way that I can. Help me to serve you faithfully in all that I do, to my family, to my "brethren", and to strangers.

Wanderings

This past weekend my friend Stephanie and her family came to visit. Adam and I took them into Rochester to the public market on Saturday morning. We perused vegetable stands, dug through homemade mittens, bought way too many raspberries, smelled fresh roasted coffee beans, and enjoyed the beautiful, albeit chilly, morning together. I love going to the public market, and I don't know why we don't go more often. There is something exciting about the masses of people, crowding through the stalls, the hawking of goods, hearing the voices of people everywhere. It's invigorating. I enjoy talking to the different vendors and gleaning bits of information from them or about them. We came home with bags of goodies and ate good that night! Although the asparagus I bought is still in the fridge... Maybe I do tend to go overboard.

Bed in a Box

For the third night in a row, Josh is sleeping in a cardboard box. We acquired the box from my Mom, who brought it over for our Jonah party. It's a very large box, and in all honesty, I could probably sleep in it if I wanted to. He's all tucked in, nice and warm. I'm starting to wonder how long we'll have the extra bed! Maybe it's time for a house guest? (Stephanie???)

Party Remnants

Saturday was the day. My boy is now four. Invitations were sent out and a party was had. (My brain was on overload and that is why there has been a lack of blogging.) Our Jonah party was a success. My sister, Hannah, came to help with crowd control and preparations. The party began with a prayer and the story of Jonah, as was requested by a small boy. Instead of doing "craft", I baked fish-shaped cookies for the kids to frost. Each child was able to frost three cookies. Funny side note- I didn't have a fish-shaped cookie cutter, so I made one by bending a metal bat-shaped cookie cutter. When was I ever going to make bat cookies??? So that is why these fish are so funky looking.

We also had a very large, whale-sized box. Each kid had a turn being Jonah inside the "whale". And when I left the room, the box was the center of attention, and would've met it's demise had I not returned in time. Yeah, boxes are awesome.
I managed to make a fish cake for the occasion, but didn't bake Jonah into his middle like planned.
We proceeded with our four year old birthday celebration, with a lunch of fish sticks, tater-tots, and carrots. (Yes, I serve such "healthy" birthday lunches.) After which, the fish cake was cut and enjoyed.
Almost guaranteed, the favorite part of the party would have to be the pinata. I had attempted to make a pinata earlier in the week, using a balloon and paper machete. Unfortunately, it took more than six days to dry, and I was not able to use it. So, on Friday I did a quick online search and found a wonderful substitution. A paper bag, stuffed with newspaper and candy, and decorated with crepe paper (left over from our decorations) made a super pinata. Each kid had ample opportunity to hit the make-shift pinata and had fun diving for candy when it finally burst.

I think each and every one of us had a lot of fun at Josh's birthday Bible Club. And at least three of us were ready for a nap afterward.

A Jonah Bible Club

So, you know how a few of the neighborhood kids have been asking about Bible Club? Well, now my own son has started. I just can't get away. ;) And I think I have an answer to my prayers about how to go about it, or at least a start. Through no provoking of my own, Josh started asking about Bible Club and then he went on to ask if he could have Bible Club on his birthday. I stopped whatever I was doing and began to consider my little boy's request. "And invite the neighborhood kids?" I asked. "Yes." I think he was inspired by someone bigger than both of us... I asked him what Bible story we should tell, and after considering it for a moment, "Jonah" was his reply. This is very do-able, I think. I'm not the greatest at throwing parties or putting plans into actions, but when my little boy wants to have Bible Club for his birthday, I would venture to say that it might be the Lord's way of getting me going. (I always need a little push to get things done.) So I have 18 days to plan a Jonah Bible Club birthday party. Maybe a whale cake, reading the story of Jonah, Jonah games? I will have to pray for some more ideas...

I just have to say, God has the best ideas.

Sunflower Cutting Time

Climbing the ladder to success.

Under those spent blossoms, is a treasure trove of goodness.

Joshua pretends to be a sunflower. (Seriously.)

The flower heads were huge! This one was probably the prettiest of all.

They Were of Mammoth Proportion

My sunflowers brought me quite a bit of happiness. They were super tall and impressive. This was the first year I had these majestically tall flowers in my garden, and I don't plan on it being the last. Monday of this week though, it was time. Time to harvest the flower heads and hang them somewhere out of the relentless rain to dry. There were 27 mature flowers that were cut, put into paper bags, and hung to dry, in my parents' barn, since I didn't have enough room in my basement to hang 27 Mammoth Sunflower heads. If all goes well, in a few weeks, the heads will be dried and we can harvest the seeds, roast and salt them, and devour their tasty goodness. That is, if they don't mold and don't get eaten by bugs or mice... That is a big fear of mine.

A Safe Spot

That is what I want my home to be. A safe spot. A welcome place. A shelter. I would love to be able to minister to the children that wander through my neighborhood and love them as Jesus would. I want them to see Jesus in my home. This week, both Sunday evening and this evening, two of the neighborhood girls showed up at my house. They came on Sunday to ask me random questions about a bike in my yard and about the carrots in my garden. But they came again tonight for no particular reason. And they will be back again. I have been feeling the Lord's tug on my heart to open my home to these kids and others, to be able to share with them more about Jesus and the Bible. Jesus has done so much for me and I want to share Him with others who have never heard. I can no longer deny this calling, I just don't know exactly how to go about doing it. Do I simply live and be a godly example? Or do I add structure and sit and read stories and allow them time to ask questions? Or do I incorporate Bible stories into our visits as they come? Please pray for me that I will follow God's ever-so-gentle calling on my life.

Layed Bare

He's calling me to come closer. To come walk with Him. To partake of solid food. Spend more time with Him. To make Him my priority. I know that I have regressed. I have become self-centered and selfish, and have tainted my Lord's reputation. When did I become this way? When did I start caring less about those who surround me? When did I become a baby in the Lord? He wants me to eat solid food now, real meat. Hebrew 6:1 says, "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God..." I can put on a good facade and am well practiced at it. I look good from the outside, but more and more has the ugly side been showing itself. It's hard for me to love. It's hard for me to forgive. I bring up the hurts that should've been brushed aside by now. I have problems. I am the problem. I need more Jesus. He is the Potter and I am the clay. Can He really clean out the gnarled, crusty self inside of me? Can He really make me new, once again? Can my heart really look like His? I'm tired of these earthly passions and fading trends. Who really cares if I have the latest look or my house looks like a picture from a magazine? Is that what Jesus wants me to spend my time thinking about? Does not His heart bleed for the sins we have committed? Can He make my heart bleed for those things once again? Can He callus my heart toward earthly satisfactions? Yes, yes He can.

Hebrews 6:11 & 12 "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Good-Bye Sunshine!

The first day of October came brutally, with cold wind and rain. Time for jackets! These sunflowers have long since faded, their sunny faces turned brown and cold. Their seeds are hardening and will soon be ready for harvest. This sunflower will, in a few short weeks, be tasty sunflower seeds, and who knows? Maybe you will even be able to have some for yourself!

Appropriately Honored

Today is the two year anniversary of when my Grandpa walked through those Pearly Gates. Two years ago today he breathed his last laboring breath after a brief battle with lung cancer. I had intended to stop by the cemetery where his ashes were buried, but time ran out ahead of me and I failed to catch up with it. But as the evening progressed, and my commitments met, I realized that the way I ended up spending my evening would be much more honoring of my Grandpa and the way he lived his life.

Grandpa was almost constantly serving others in ministry. He spent countless week hours at nursing homes holding Bible studies and singing old hymns. During the last years of his life, he also began serving at the Open Door Mission, the local homeless shelter. He would sing in his usual style, with his banjo, harmonica or guitar, and preach the sermon before the men and women would be served their meals. Grandpa was passionate about telling others of Jesus' love and forgiveness, and the Open Door was a ministry he supported wholeheartedly. And this evening, exactly two years after he passed into Glory, that was where I spent my evening. The community group that I attend Bible study with, had arranged to help serve dinner at the mission, and we spent a couple hours there scooping hot meals onto plates. This was a much more appropriate way to honor my Grandfather, much better than a flower on a gravestone.

A Day at the Aquarium

I had never been to an aquarium or seen real, live manta rays before. And I am 25 years old. These kids don't know how cool it really is to have access to such a cool place. When I was in Albuquerque, my cousin took me to the aquarium. My aunt and the little cousins came too, even though they had been there numerous times before. The big kids (including me and Auntie Kim) and the little kids oohed and aahed over the fish and seas creatures with the best of them. Beckett loved watching the rays. He's almost 2. I loved watching them too. (I even got to touch one! woo-hoot!)

My favorite part was probably the jelly fish room. Their eery glow filled the room, while their translucent bodies moved through the water. There was a distinct beauty to these creatures and yet I had to remind myself that these were actually dangerous animals. Still it was a cool thought to imagine swimming in a pool of jelly fish..... Definitely not very practical. I left the aquarium that day in awe of God's amazing creation. He has made so many marvelous things!

Colorado

Colorado. I decided that I love that place. It is among the most beautiful places I have ever been. I also decided that next time I go there, I want to take my guys. There was just too much that I wanted to share with them, and they were not there to savor it with me. I am not sure if Adam would get as excited over the scenery as I did, but I wanted to share every mountain vista and picturesque peak with him. I thought of Josh during the entire gold mine tour, and when we were at the Bar D Ranch, all the little boys (and most big ones too) were dressed like cowboys and once again, I wished he was there with me. I imagined the fun we could have together as a family, exploring all that southwest Colorado has to offer, around the twisting curves and rising roads, and into the heart of history. Adventure breathes deep around every corner and beneath every tree. That is how it should be, deep in the mountains of Colorado.

Traveling Escapades

Did a little bit of traveling this past month. Got to hug some great people and eat wonderful food. Here's a tiny taste of the adventure.

Down By The River

Upon our arrival in South Carolina, we were greeting with fine greetings from our host and hostess. It was just after 11pm on Saturday night, so after the greetings were over, Josh, Adam, and myself collapsed into bed. Sunday we were treated to some fine Southern preaching, which brought back childhood memories of our Southern Pastor, who could shout with the best of them. (He had gradually adapted the more Northern way of preaching and was quite tame by the time I graduated High School...)

After church, Carissa and Adam H. (our fine hosts) took us to the river for a picnic. When they said picnic, my mind conjured up images of a gentle, grassy slope, where we could lay out our blanket and enjoy our packed lunches in the warm sunshine. Maybe after our lunch, we could, if we so desired, dip our feet into the cool edge of the river and watch Josh do some splashing... Well, it was awful silly of me to imagine any such thing, because there was no gentle, grassy slope to lay out our blanket on, and the warm sunshine was blocked by a cool canopy of limbs and leaves.

We picked our way carefully down the rocks and stepped into the cool stream. You could see looks of displeasure coming from my husband's face. This was not what he had expected either. He was hungry and had been hoping for a gentle, grassy slope on which to eat his lunch. Carrying the cooler in one hand and holding Josh's hand in the other, he picked his way over the slippery river rocks with a warning to me, not to drop the camera.

We walked for a ways, with Mr. Hall and Carissa in the lead, and Adam scowling more and more, as his stomach began to growl painfully. The river curved round a bend, and there along the shore line, was a rocky beach of sorts. It was here, on the rocky beach, that Mr. Hall unfurled the blanket and Carissa got out the picnic lunch. The river babbled it's watery song while we munched happily on our ham sandwiches, chips and cookies. Our hunger was finally satiated and the scowl lines in Adam's brow had softened.

By this time, the water was calling to us and we left the dry picnic blanket and dipped our toes into the water. We ventured further until the water lapped at our calves. Before we knew it, we were all kids again, our hands in the water, pulling rocks out and moving them to where they would better suit our purpose. Soon, the water was rising and Mr. Hall and Adam joyfully made a game out of seeing how fast they could get the current moving.

There was a lot of laughter and smiles as the boys got in touch with their "inner child". The current was so strong that even as grown men, they struggled to walk through the knee-deep water. One could tell that they were mightily pleased with the results of their hard work, making memories all the way.

A Brief Stop in Pittsburgh

On the way to South Carolina, we stopped in Pittsburgh and spent the night with Adam's friend Josh. We didn't have a lot of time to spend in Pittsburgh, but he did accompany us to breakfast in the morning, before sending us on our way. We went to a place called Jo Jo's where Adam bought the biggest omelette any of us had ever seen. Pittsburgh sits in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains, so after our tummies were full and had said our good-byes to Josh, we sought out an overlook so we could enjoy the view of the city.

Beartown State Park (I told you I wanted to go there)

This month we took a family vacation to see some good friends of mine. Adam, Josh and I drove 14+ hours to Greenville, South Carolina. It wasn't a bad drive, but I did take us two hours out of the way to see this really great park called Beartown State Park, in West Virginia. Josh had a hard time driving through the mountains, as all the curves and hills were making him carsick... But he loved the rocks and caves at the park. I'm pretty sure we even heard a bear, though it could've been something else... I'm hoping to share little clips of our adventure with you so "bear" with me!

Josh loved exploring the boardwalks at Beartown. He

often ran ahead a little ways to get a peek before we could.

"He hideth me in the cleft of the rock."

Each rock formation was topped with trees

and ferns like a little island. It was so gorgeous.

We had to stay on the boardwalks,

but they too us to all the good spots.

Isn't he a cutie face?

The Truth is in the Pudding (Whatever that means...)

One would think that if you could bake you should be able to cook, right? How about wrong. I consider myself to be a moderately good baker. After all, I can bake pies with the best of them and my cookies aren't too bad either. But I have to admit, my cooking skills just aren't up to par. In fact, they are lagging behind. Not only can I not seem to remember to take meat out to thaw, but bringing a meal together just doesn't always happen. Like tonight, for instance....

I'm trying to clean out my fridge. I don't want any leftovers in there this weekend. It's just time to clean out all that old stuff. Yesterday we had bacon sandwiches and leftover pasta. The pasta was gross in and of itself, let alone being leftovers already. So tonight's dinner made day three of bad dinners. I had the brand idea to make split pea soup in an effort to use up some bread in the fridge. (We have several odd loaves/packages of bread in there.) Yes, make soup to use bread. Everyone knows that you are supposed to eat bread with soup. Now, I have one very distinct memory of eating split pea soup, and that memory comes from my childhood. My Mom only ever made split pea soup once, probably due to how well it was received. Us kids sat at the dinner table much longer that night as we struggled to swallow that insipid soup. The longer we sat, the more horrible the soup became... And yet, I still chose to make split pea soup for supper. I thought that maybe, just possibly in the past 15+ years, my taste buds had matured enough to appreciate the green soup delight. Unfortunately for me, they had not. Even Adam, who typically appreciates split pea soup, did not finish his serving. And poor Josh uttered his disdain for our supper at his first tiny taste. Well, it was our supper and so Adam and I toughed it out for most of our bowlfuls, but were kinder to Josh as we told him he must eat only five bites. He struggled through each bite, grimacing and shuddering and plugging his nose. He was doing so well... But we should've told him four bites. I'll leave it at that. Good thing I know how to bake. I should've gone with my first thought and just served bread pudding for supper. No worries though, I whipped up some bread pudding with blueberries in no time. I was even able to rid my fridge of one more half eaten loaf of bread, a container of cream cheese, the rest of the half and half, and a scoop or two of yogurt. I was a little concerned about all the extra stuff I was putting in the pudding, but there was no need for concern. After all, the truth is in the pudding, I can bake better than I can cook.

(PS The photo is not mine. It is from http://froggey.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/blueberry-bread-pudding-with-lemon-cream/, where I kinda followed the recipe from.)

I'm at it Again

I want to go *here*. Just in case you were wondering...

A Bible Club Finale

Bible Club ended today. But may Bible Club never really be ended... My neighbor asked Jesus to wash away her sins and give her a new heart. Another neighbor came back after club to ask me why God would want to pay for our sins, why He would die for us. Three weeks ago, my friend Cindy and I were disappointed with the low turnout of kids (or lack of any), but remained faithful to the plan. We struggled through the last weeks, but our God brought it all together today. We closed out our club with a party, but not before a very good lesson and overview of the Wordless Book. We played multiple games and crafts and even fed the five kids in attendance (including Josh) hot dogs for lunch. And then, when things were settling down and the dust clearing, we got a peek at the fruit of our labor. I wonder what the Lord will do next?

You Don't Have to Read This

Just wanted to say this has been a rather hard/wonderful summer. Some things have been wonderful and, well, some things super hard. The whole changing churches thing I feel is taking it's toll on me. Having a church family and regular fellowship is really important to me, but not only have we left our home church of eight+ years, we also are not regularly attending or going to be regularly attending the church of our choice for quite a while. Adam is going to be helping do sound at another church in the city through the months of September and October. And more than likely, we will not be able to get plugged into our new church until November. Thankfully, I have been attending a small group Bible study midweek through the summer. The group is made up of young married or single adults in their 20's or 30's and I feel like I've made some good connections with people or at least am starting to. It helps that one of my bff's was part of the group to start with. But now our group leader has just informed us that he will be leaving our group with a new leader in the fall and going off to start another group. Yeah, the one part of "church" that held some normalcy is now going to be... well, different. It just stinks extra much because our group leader was good at making everyone feel welcome, accepted and, I guess, part of the group. It's hard... Especially when every other night or so, I dream about things going on at the church we left and in my dreams I end up crying because I am missing out on what's happening. I don't want to make friends at the church Adam is helping at because we aren't going to stay there (nor do I want to). The new church is absolutely huge and the only thing that makes the huge part not so bad, is the small groups. I just wish Adam could come with me... I'm not complaining, I'm just saying it's not easy. I know it'll be for the best, but right now I have a lump in my throat and I wish Adam was awake so we could talk about it... But he is sleeping and the next best thing in to blog it.

Finding the Missions Field

My friend Cindy and I have been hosting a Bible Club at my house this summer. Every Wednesday morning, my yard is open to the neighborhood kids to come for a Bible lesson, story, snack and craft. We get all ages, and anywhere from 2-7 kids. Sharing the Bible with these kids has been very eye opening, to say the least. Most of them know very little of any Bible stories and one boy admitted that his Mom said he was "going to church" when he came over for Bible Club. I know my heart has a "missions bent", but I don't need to go very far to get to the missions field. The missions field comes to me every Wednesday morning. Lord, here am I, send me.

Family Fun?

Today was a gorgeous, Seabreeze kind of day. The local union that Adam works in was having their family picnic at Seabreeze. We went with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Jo (Grandpa also works in the union) and tackled the water slides right off the bat and right off the bat Adam threw his back out coming down one of the slides with Josh. He didn't complain about it too much and we enjoyed several hours of water rides and bumper cars, but by mid afternoon he was very noticeably walking crooked. His back was seriously out of whack by two or three inches. Needless to say, we didn't stay as long as we could have. We went home to ice his back and get some pain killers in him. Adam spent the rest of the evening laying on the bed trying to relax his back muscles. Hopefully, his back will have released most of the tension by morning so he can go to church pain free.

I'm kinda glad Josh and I have another Seabreeze date in a couple weeks, because I didn't get to ride the Jack Rabbit this time...

Showers of Blessing

It is raining. Praise the Lord. It's been so long.

Ezekiel 34:26-27 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

Chruch Directions

Can I blog this late at night? Because every time I get ready to blog, I realize what time it is and exactly how tired I really feel...

This blog was going to be about church. It's been a very strange "church summer". That of course makes no sense to you, but what I really mean is that our regular attendance of our regular church has been erratic and irregular. Between Josh being sick two Sundays, Adam helping a friend with sound at a church in the city, and being out of town, there has been a slight "disconnect" with our home church. And not only the afore mentioned reasons, but also this past Sunday we visited a friends' church and we really liked it. Adam wants to go again. And if Adam wants to go again, so do I. I have been attending a small group Bible study with some young people who attend there, and I am excited to see how Adam could get plugged in too. Keep us in your prayers as we are stepping in a new direction.

Hot and Sticky Memories

It was Indonesia weather today. Hot, sticky, sweaty, humid, nearly 100 degrees... Brought back memories of sweaty kids singing, laughing, staring, hugging. Funny, that's not so different than the memories I have from today. Only the kids in todays' memories speak the same language as I do. If only I could remember to love my everyday kids the same as I did those far away kids. I mean, everyday kind of love, with hugs and kisses everyday. Like today, I loved them. But sometimes I am grouchy or don't want to hear screaming or fighting children. Sometimes I want quiet, well behaved, perfect children. It is those days when they are not that teach me.

Sigh... Anyways, this day brought me back to sitting in a crowded room, far, far away from my home with masses of children singing in a foreign language praises to Jesus, staring at the Americans, anxiously waiting for a reaction from one of us. Sweet, sweet memories.

Josh still is asking to go to Indonesia. Last night he asked his Daddy if he also wanted to go to Indonesia to see Viki (our newest sponsor child). I tell Josh to ask God if he wants to go. Maybe someday he really will, only God knows.

FYI

By the way, we're friends again. That is a "Praise the Lord" moment.

To My True Love

Will you...

hold my hand?
gaze into my eyes?
stroke my hair?
wink at me?
dance with me?
pray for me?
pray with me?
pursue me?
talk to me?
kiss me?
guide me?
lead me?
hold me?
share with me?
dream with me?
never leave me?
always be mine?

Six years ago he asked me if I would always be his, and I said yes.

And I will.

In Love All Over Again

Smitten. I can't believe she's really a girl. My parents have a granddaughter... I have a niece. Can we really dress this child in pink and put bows in her hair? Buckle shoes and frilly dresses? She's the epitome of tiny girl child. Came into the world with a bang, after just three pushes, 45 minutes after arriving at the hospital. Breathe in her new baby scent and stroke her baby soft skin. Enraptured. That is how I must describe it. Giddy with delight and waiting anxiously until I can see her again.

YEA FOR BABIES!

Woo-hoot! I'm an auntie! And it's a GIRL!!! 5 lbs. 12 oz. Can't wait to see her!

Regressing

I really am "totally at peace" about the matter, but it's nights like this that I wish I was the one in the hospital having a baby.

The Troops

Mom and Dad and the troops. (Adam is MIA.)

The Crazy Wheel of Life

I was told that life is like a wheel, with it's ups and downs. Gotta say, this week has been totally like a wheel. I know that God is at work in my life, but I wish He would would just hurry up, cause His work hurts. It's a good thing that He has balanced His work with some wonderful things along with it. Like Jim is in town this week. And my Gramanita is here from Nova Scotia, for the first time since Adam and I got married. And Leta will have a new baby any day (or hour?). So I have been spending a lot of time with my immediate family and at my parent's house visiting with the family. There is a wonderful sense of community when I go home. Something about not being alone, having someone to share burdens with- even if it is help folding laundry, working together and loving together. I am one of seven kids, so I feel most at home surrounded by people. I'm not much for being alone. I guess you might say that it gets a little lonely around my house. Adam goes to work, comes home tired, and goes to bed early. I miss having time spent with each other, whether it is playing a game together, reading together, going for a walk, or sipping tea while sitting on the deck together. I think quiet time spent together is important and healthy in a relationship and when those quiet times don't happen, a relationship can suffer. I think both of us are to blame here. I fill up my evenings with activities that take me out of the home and away from my family. It's not that I don't want to put my family first, it's just that somehow I want to do other important things too. Before I know it, my weeknights are filled with just snippets of time left for those who really matter most. How do I fix it? How do I make sure that Adam and Josh know that they are the most important to me, with the only exception of Jesus Christ? And then how do we make sure that we have enough Glue (Jesus) in our marriage to keep it strong? Take the "Glue" and time spent together out of a marriage and what you have left is a crazy spinning wheel, careening towards the cliff's edge. And that is the story.

Pulling My Heart Strings

They just tug at my heart strings. Knowing that one person, with the Lord's help, can make a difference in a young life, it's hard to stand by and do nothing. This Sunday three more children found sponsors and three more lives found new hope. I know that Compassion doesn't save children, but our God can use Compassion to save children. Our God can use you and I. I am baffled at how God chooses faulty and fallible people as a conduit of His love. Tonight I shared with Joshua how his Grammy is now sponsoring Fredik. This fact makes me so happy. Josh was so curious as to who Fredrik is and what he looked like. We talked about how Fredrik lives in Africa and how he has black skin, which inspired a conversation about how the people in the world all look different, and how God loves all of us. By the end of our conversation, Josh decided that he wants to go see Fredrik, in addition to visiting Viki, our other sponsor child from Indonesia. I love his young, innocent heart that loves without question and believes the impossible. No wonder the Lord says to have faith like a little child. (Luke 18:17) Anyway, I still have 19 more child packets for children who are waiting for a sponsor of their own. If you have been thinking or praying about sponsoring a child, I am more than happy to give you more information and let you look at the packets I have. I'll be sending them back to Compassion International later this week, so don't wait too long!

Or... you could sponsor Sintayehu by clicking here.

1 John 3:17-18 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.